Ballast cleaning and replacing machine



April 30, 1929. J. G. BECK ET A.. 1,710,963

` BALLAST CLEANING AND REPLACING MACHINE I Filed Jan. 1e, 14926 s sheets-sheet 1 April 30, 1929. a J. G. BECK r-:T AL. 1,710,963

BALLAST CLEANING AND REPLACING MACHINE Filed Jan. 1a, 1926 e sheets-sheet v April 30, 1929. J. G. BECK ET AL 1,710,963

' l BALLAST CLEANING AND REPLACING MACHINE Filed Jan. 18. 1926 s sheets-sheet 3 A TTORNEY.

April 30, 1929 J. G. BECK ET AL BALLAST CLEANING AND RELACING MCHINE Filed Jan, 18, 1926 GSheetS--Sheet 4 IN VEN TORS,

A TTORNEY.

BALLAST GLEANIN/G AND REPLACING MACHINE Filed Jan.18, 192s s sheets-sheet 5V .tias-arc. ICEELJIG'SLEE.

IN VEN TORS,

ATTORNEY.

April 30, 1929. J. G. BECK ET AL 1,710,963- A BALLAST CLEANING AND REPLACIN-G MACHINE Filed Jan, 18, 1926 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 .Z [53.261: KE'BLAHSLEE,

INVENTORS,

Patented Apr. 30, 1929.

UNITED STATES 1,110,963 PATENT ,oFFieE-.y y

JOHN G. BECK AND vieron F. BLAKESLEE, or PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA..

BALLAST CLEANING AND RELACING HAGHIN Application tiled Jianuary 18, 1926. Serial No. 821,039.

The purpose` of the present invention is to provide a machine which will dig and pick` been removed by laborers from between the ties working ahead ofthe machine, and placed outside of the ties.

Another object` of the present invention is to provide a machine which can be quickly withdrawn from the adjacent railroad tracks and accommodate the passing of tratlic thereon.

Another purpose of this invent-ion is to re duce greatly the cost of cleaning railroad road beds per mile, and to increase the speed of performing this cleaning and replacing operation.

The present machine, it will be seen as the description proceeds herein, can be operated :from air, steam, or other power, carried on or supplied by the locomotive which isy attached to the present machine, or by local power units. A secondary use of the present machine is for the removal of snow in railroad yards and in some cases,` where it is desirable to entirely remove cinder ballast.` road beds, and replace same with rock ballast, the machine can be'used to remove entirely the cinders from the road bed.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of the present specifications, I have shown one complete example of the embodiment of my invention constructed according to the best mode I have so far devised for the practical application of the principles of my invention. In the drawings Fig. 1 is a side elevation ot' the ballast cleaning and replacing machine. p

Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical section of Fig. 1. taken on line 2 2 thereof.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of Fig. 1, showing the mechanism used for lifting and withdrawing the scoops of my invention.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged partial end view of my invention taken frointhe left of Fig. 1.

Figure 6 is an enlarged partialplan view,

illustratinga means,l for holding the scoopsy i shown in line 7-7 of Figure 1. i i

In the present invention a machine is rovided for digging, elevating, cleaning an re-` igure`4, in an elevated position.` Figure 7 isa transverse vertical section ron placing ballast in railroad road beds, which i machine may be conveniently divided for purposes of description intotheoHowing parts,

to wit 1 .i

A digging and ballast elevating` meclb anism-l, a ballast cleaning and delivery i means-2, a means 3 forremoviiinr the dbris which has been obtained in cleaning the bal.

last, an operating `mechanism 4, for actuating the several parts ofl the invention, and a lift-- ing means 5, for elevating thescoops used in the digging operation; i p Each of these elements of the device above named will be describedl .in order below..

The diggingand ballast elevating mech-` y anisml, consistsot. a pair oi scoops 6, 7, dis-` posed on opposite sides of a `flatcar 8 as `shown clearly in Figs; 1 and 3 `of the drawings.

These scoops, 7, each have `vertical walls 9,` 1() and a bottom portion 11, which follows the contour shown in 1 dotted. These` scoops are provided with aplurality of` dig- 1 Y ging teeth 12, v12, and a bent metal plow 13, as shown, and said `teeth and plows are intended to dig intoltheroadibed ballastoutside oftheends 14, 14 of the ties 15, (see Fig. 5)

whenjtlie scoops 6, 7.are in thelowered position shown in saidFigsL 5 and 1.`

As the car 8 isadvanced .along the tracks by irl-.locomotive (not slimvn)A `from the right to the left. as seen in Fig. 1 it, is seen that the scoops `will vdigiip the ballast and due tothe curved1 bottom 11 of said scoops, the ballast,`

consisting of trap rock and dbris, is delivlered at point 16 into the boot 17 ofthe ele*-` vator 98 as is readilv understood. Thescoops 6, `7 .are mounted sl-idably` upon they unrights 18, 19V for the purpose offelevatingthem` to the approximate level 20 of the floor of the" car 8, as will be furtherdescribed herein in the description of the lifting means 5` before j mentioned. It will be seen that the elevators 98, 98 and boots 17, 17 nare positioned within the outside dimensions of the car Hoorl20 asy seen in Fig. 3 and thatthe scoops are con struct'ed with the portions 21 turned inwardly in order todeliverthe ballastand dbris in i the boots 17, 17. The scoops 6, 7 with their plows 13, 13 protrude beyond the deck of the` car 8 and in orderl tov permit the passingof CII The elevators 98, 98 are similar in construction, but ma( description of one will apply to both of them. The elevator 98 consists of a series of bucle ets 22, mounted on an endless chain 23, the upper and lower ends of which operate over suitable drumsor sprockets 24, 25, the

latter being suitably mounted on axes 2G, 27

respectively. The power for driving the endless chains is obtained from an engine 2S, which will be described hereinafter, the shaft 26 preferably being the driven shaftas can be seen from inspection of Fig. 1 of the draw-` ings. It will be seen that the ballast and dbris, which has been deposited in the boot 1T from the scoops 6, 7 at points 16 before described will, when the elevator 98 is in operation, be delivered by means of tliechutes 2), 29 into the hopper 30. From the above it will be seen that the diggingand ballast elevating mechanism comprises then, the scoops with their digging teeth and plows, and the pair of elevators just described with their accompanying boots.

T he ballast cleaning and delivery means con'iprises the following parts. A hopper 30, said hopper being slidably mounted on a supporting framework 82, having a plurality of uprights 33, 33, etc., which last are in turn mounted on the deck 2O of the fiat car S. In some cases it may be found advisable to use a series `of hoppers 34, 35, each having a screen forming the bottom of each hopper at points 36, 23"?, said hoppers being coupled together at points 31, 31, etc., so that such screens can be vibrated in unison. It will be seen that a screen of a mesh. size which will permit the retention of the largest sizes of rock ballast, can be used to form the bottom 3G of the hopper 34 thus'permitting the smaller size of rock ballast and the debris to pass into the hopper and on to the screen 37. The screen 37 can then be made of proper mesh. size as will. permit only the debris to pass therethrough on to the inclined sides 38 of the chute 39, and be deposited upon the belt conveyors 40, 41 as is readily understood. It will be seen that the largest size of rock ballast which has been cleaned in the hoppert will drop automatically as the hopper is vibrated into' the chutes 42, 42 and be deposited on the ailroaul road. bed both inside and outside of the ends 14 of the ties 15. It will also be seen that the next largest size of rock ballast which has passed into the hopper will also be deposited on the chutes 42, 42 and'in like manner be distributed on the road bed. In this con le opposite hand, and the nection it is of course apparent, that the ends 413-3, 44 of the hoppers 34, E35 respectively are left open to permit the rock ballast to be shaken on to the chutes 4Q, 4Q as described. The vibration or slidable reciprocation of the hopper 30 accomplished by means of two connecting rods 45, 4.5, which are connected to, and eccentrically mounted on the shaft 46, said shaft being adapted to receive its power from the engine Q8 as will be further described hereinafter, as the description proceeds, in connection with the before mentioned operating mechanism 4. lt is evident from an inspection of Figs. 1 and 3 of the drawings that as shaft 1l-6 is revolved the connec rods 4.5, 45 will be riciprmratod and cause thevibration of the hopper 10 to be accomplished.

The debris removing means consists of two cont-ting belt conveyors 40, 41 before mentioned, the conveyor 40 is mounted at points L on the deck 2O of the car 8, as is readily 1:! understood. lielt 40 is of proper width as can be seen from Fig. 2 of the drawings to receive the debris which is deposited upon its upper surface by the walls 38, 38 of the chute 39. lt will be seen that the belt conveyor 40 is provided with a gear 4l), shown in Fin'. 3 clearly, and that such gear lil re reiv powta' by means of a belt 101, or otherwise from the gear 50, which is mounted on the shaft 51 ot" the engine Q8 before mentioned. It is also seen that the belt conveyor 41 is mounted at point 52 on the floor of the car 8 and the opposite end of such conveyor suitably mounted at a convenient point of siniport (not shown) on the car 53. It is also seen that the conveyor 41 is n'ovided with a gear 54 see Fig. 3) which is driven by means of a belt or otherwise from gear 55, which is mounted on the shaft 51 of the engine 2S, from which it is evident that the belt conveyors 4t), 41 can be continuously operated and driven from power furnislu'd by the main engine 28 of my machine. It is apparent that the dirt which has been deposited on the upper surface of the belt 40 is redeposited on the upper surface of the belt conveyor 4l.. and in this way is delivered into car 53 for convenient removal.

The operating mechanism consists of the following parts. ri main or driving engine 23, having the housings 5G, titl and a main drive sha-ft 51 mainted therein is provided and mounted on the floor /)tl of the ear 8. .its before described the shaft 4@ receives power from the main drive .shaft 51 by means o if the belts 57, 5T. The main engine also trans mits power to the elevators llo by means of belts 58, 58 as is at onceunderstood from Figs. 5, 3 and 1.` of the drawings. The main driving engine 28 also operates the shaft 59 by means of beveled gear (3() which is suit'. bly connected. to a complementary gear G1 on the main drive shaft 51. 1t will be seen from an ltltl inspection of Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings that the shaft 59 in turn is adapted to 'operate gears 62, 63 which inter-1nesh with racks 64, 65 respectively. These racks are rigidly mounted on a frame Work 66, which will be described. It isV also notedin passing that clutches are provided 67, 68 for discngaging the gears 62, 93 when it is desired to throw same out of operation. Attention called to the fact that the shaft 46,'beilore described, is suitably mounted on supports G9, 70, 190 etc. i

The scoop lifting ineans, which is adapted to elevate the scoops from then-lowest position, as shown in 1, to the approximate elevation of the top 29 of the car 8 comprises the following parts. A pair ot horizontally disposed members 71, 72 each comprising a pair o t beanie 7 3 7l are used. These inembei's 71, 72 are adapted to be reciprocated on the top surface 2() of thev cur 8 by means of the gears 62, 62.3 and rack" Gel, G5 (seeFig. l). The beams 7 3, 7d are rigidly connected by means of the cross bars 7 5, 7 5 as shown. These horizontal members 1, 72 are held in pc ition by means of the Z-bars 715, 77 but id Z-bars periiiit ot' the iv verd and outward horizontal increment o'if'tlie members 71, 72 as is readily understood troni an.r ins'iectioii of Fifrs. 1 and Il of Ythe diaWinU's. l .e i e Mounted on the b lain 7 fl and exteiidingt'roiil the surface 20 oft the ear 8 upwardly are the tivo upriglits 18, 19, before ineiitioneduin the specitications, and said uprights are Vsuitably strengthened and braced by ineens ot; the elanting ineinbers 78, 79, which last are carried by the beams 78, 7 el. The uprights 18, 19 are connected by means ot the braces `89, 8l as shown, for stiill'eniiig purposes. Below the floor 20 oit the car 8, it will be seen that the iuiriglits 88 are placed in directl vertical line with the uprigiits 18, 19 respectively. .lbese uprigiits 82, 88 are rigidly ait- 'tached at 8%, 8l to the body of the car 8, Near their lower extremities said uprfights 82, 88 are braced by iiieaus ot the meniiiers 85, 8G to the horizontal bei-ain 87, Which last if; rigidly mounted on the body of lthe car` 8. Un the scoops 6, 7 as seen in Figsl and il clearly, ildly mounted a pair of castings ,i 89 by means o'itlie rivets 90, 90. VIt can also be seen from `liigrgl that tivo such casts 88, 89 are used in connection with each loaY 6, 7. The castings 88, 89y are of a U i. :ardly extending; ears 9.1,` 91 formed thereon, and adapted to slidably engagegupoii the inner faces ofthe uprights 82, 83, 18 and 19. also mounted onfthe inner Walls`9, 9 on each ot the scoops 6, 7 at points 92, 92 are raeits. 98, 98. These racks each interinesh with the 91, 94, which are mounted Von the shafts 95, 95 oi'- a pair of small engines 98, 97, which last are carried by the horizontal members 71, 7 2 before described. It is pc as clearly shown in Fig. 4, andA havel evident that when `the engines 96, 97 are y i properly operated thatthe gears l9411,'94lmivll` lift theracks 93, 93 andthe scoops 6,7`2from their lowest position as shown in Fig. 1, a point substantially aboveitlie yfloo'rylevel120 of ,the car 8, thecastings 188, 89 slidably -0peratingr against the uprights Sil, .83, 18, 19,

and lioldug the scoops in proper vertical position as said scoops arefele-Vated.

Pawlsr99, a reinoiinted on ithesupporting struts 78,78 in order `to prevent retrograde movement `of the scoops when once `they Ihave been. elevated to anydesiredposition; From the foregoing descii-ptiomofthe inainweiigilie AQ8 and the scoop lifting means 5i,` it is readily seen tiatby means ofthe engiaeslQS, 96 either scoop can be elevatedito theelevation of the .door 29 of the car 8 and Withdrawn inwardly toward' the center'o the car 8 to such a point that the extreme outer Aende ofthe plows can be brought Within theliinits of thej0ut-- line: of the car 8, Vso that passing.; trafllcom'ad- Y racks (il, 65 .is a-daptedl'tobring either@.or

be h` the scoops .6, 7l Within the outlineof the car8. y

In', connection *with chiites` 142", y

delivering `the cleaned vballast Sto i the roadiabed, same are constructed so. that they are de tachable from the machine, or anyothier suitable provision canbe made-to; enable their outer ends` to be broughtWithintlzieoutlincv of thecar-8g` as can; be seenfrom anl.inspectienj A of Fiigtu'esQ Emil-8 of thedrawings, .wheniit is desiredi lio,V permit; tbe passing of.. traliic` ,011,

adjaeentrrailroad tracks.

Operation- Frein whatk has beeusaid above the operationof the cleaning and re placing macliiiiefasfa 'Whole needs yonly a brief description, Atoeoiimeetwthe operation 'K fdl() of the above nained` fivafdilferent elements .or

parts .1, toi 5 inclusive which coeoiwiinaiefto 53 .i are coupledl to a: `Locomotive (not shown) and drawn along" julie-@tracksfrom: rig'lit to` y `lett as seen in Figure 1 ott-he drawings; ,i The scoops (3', 7 are loweredfintotheir lowest `or any desired positionsimilar ltofthat shown in Figure 1*. The forward motion othejcar 8 causes the plou'ghs (-13, 13 andseoops 6, 7

to engagethe road-bed to a proper depth, oni

either or both sides thereof as` seen in Figure 5. The ballast to be cleaned between theyties and .within the ends 14, 1Q: of ties 151 previously'thrown i ntothe pathofthe'scoops by laborers Working' ahead Vof the ballast cleaning machine, as is atl once understood.l

,iniake `up the Whole 'machine` The cars 'and i lso 1 point the ballast and debris is automatically elevated. to the hopper 34. The cleaned loa1- last of large size is immediately delivered by the action of the vibratory screens and hop pers to the chutes 4t2, 42, and therefrom to the road-bed. In this connection it is seen that the cleaned ballast is delivered over the entire vidth of the road-bed, both Within and without the ends la, la of the ties l5 as seen in Figures 2 and The smaller size ballast which is retained in the hopper is delivered in like manner to the chutes 42, 4t2 and is deposited on the road-bed. Laborers following the cleaning' and replacing; machine then properly distribute the cleaned ballast over the road-bed, and tamp same into proper position between and about the ties. The debris which has been deposited on the belt conveyors i0, il is passed by the action of said conveyors into the car 53 for convenient disposal.

From the above description and drawings it is evident a very useful, practical and quickly operating machine is provided for the purposes hereinbefore mentioned inthe preamble ol' the specification, a machine Which greatly reduces the cost, and increases the speed oi' cleaning' and replacing ballast in railroad roadbeds; same being a distinct de pai-ture in the art in which it is used, in coniparison with the present slow, laborious and expensive methods in current use lor performing the cleaning and replacin operation in hand.

Wie claim .1. In a ballast cleaniingr and replacing machine, a flat car, a scoop lifting means, coinprisingv a lirameworl: having a pair, oi hor'- zontal members adapted to be slidably withdrawn toward they longitudinal center line `ol2 the machine, a pair of vertical uprighl's each ri gidly inounted on one ol the horizontal members, a pair oi' vertically disiioscd uprighl's esteinlingbelow the lirstnamed uprights' and in alignment therewith, rigidly mounted on the car body, a plurality oit U- shaped castings adapted to slidably engage the aioresaiid uprights, a pair oit scoops each rigidly attached to a pair of the U-shaped castings, and nier-ins of raising,r and rctractinp saidscoops.and associated,parts toward the center line ot the machine.

2. In a ballast cleaningand replacingl inachine, a flat car, a scoop lifting' means, coniprisingr a framework havingl a pair of horizontil members adapted to be slidably Withdrawn toward the longitudinal center line of the machine, a pair ot vertical. uprights each rigidly mounted on one of the horizontal members, a pair of vertically disposed uprights extending below the iirst-named upri'hts, and in alignment therewith, rigidly mounted on the car body, a plurality of U- shaped lListings adapted to slidably and re ciprocally engagethe aioresaid uprights, a pair of scoops each rigidly attached to a pair of the U-shaped castings, a vertically positioned racit mounted on each scoop, means adapted to engage the racks, and severally elevate toe scoops and ineans for rctracting the scoops and associated parts toward the tenter line ot the machine.

3. In a ballast cleaning' and rcplaeing;` inachine, a ilat ear, a scoop lifting means, coniu prisinT a lrana-n'orl-z having' a pair oi" horizontal members adapted .to be slidably withdrawn toward Vthe center line ol the machine, a pair oi vertical uprights ach rigidly mounted on one oi; the horizontal members, a pair of vertically disposed upriglits, extending); below the iiifstnainml uprie'hts, and in alignment therewith rigidly mounted on the flat car body, a plurality of Usliaped castings adapted 'to slidably reciprocate between the aiiiresaid upri a pair ot scoops each rigid'y attached to a pair oi the Uwshaped Aastings, a vertical rack mounted on each scoop, a pair oi en efines each adapted to ein gage one ol the racks and lift the scoops, means lor holding the racks against downward movement when in elevated position, and a main engine adapted to retract said scoops and associated parts toward the center line ot the machine, while the scoops are held in an elevated position.

Il. In a ballast cleaningr and replacingmachine, a scoop liiting means, comprising a 'framework having` a pair of longitudinal horizontal members, a pair ol Z-bars slidably engaging opposite ends ci the horizontal members, an inwardl y tnrned lnnizontal racl nionnted on cach ol the latter members, a pair o'lI vertical uilnigrlils forming guide-nays, each mounted on the car body and the aforesaid framework, a lair ot scoops, each adapted to slidably e wie in one ol the guide-wayin means :for vertically reciprocating' the scoops in the latter, a main engine ha Ying a pair oi.i pinion ,area rs on its drive shalt, each engaginaone ol the horizontal racks above-mentioned, for the purpose of severally and sinniltaneously reciprocating the framework, and .scoops to and Jfrom the center line of the machine.

In testimony whereof We aliix our signatures.

JOHN G. BECK. VICTOR F. BLAKESLEE.

lll) 

